Pad-tufting machine.



N0. 667,795. Patented Feb. l2, IQI.y D. E. RDWLEY.

PAD TUFTING MACHINE.

(Application mea may 26, 1900.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-:Sheet 2.

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dwf/92%@ Patented Feb. I2, |901.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Nn. 6a7,795.

D. E. ROWLEY.

PAD TUFTING MACHINE.

(No Model (Application-tiled May 28, 1900.;

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-h Nmdlrwl Unirse STATES ATENT FFICE.

DAVID E. ROVLEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PAD=TUFT|NG MACHINE.

SIEGEFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 667,795, dated February12, 1901.

Application filed May 26, 1900. serial No. 18,134. \N0 model-J To @ZZwhen@ t may concern.

Be it known that I, DAVID E. RoWLEY, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook, in the State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful ImprovementsinPad-Tufting Machines, of which the following isa description.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein like re ference-lettersindicate like or corresponding parts, Figure l is a side elevation ofmyimproved machine. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section in line 22 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is an end elevation and partial transverse sectionin line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4f is a side elevation of one of theelevated rings and a clench-pin-retaining device with the pin inposition. Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the same, taken at rightangles to the position shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a partial perspectiveview of one of the cog-racks secured to the under surface of the movabletable, parts being broken away to show the construction. Fig. 7 is aside elevation of one series of the guiding-pins,partially broken awayto show the construction. Fig. Sis a partial top plan of the preferredform of presserboard, the position of the guiding-pins being shown indot-lines. Fig. 9 is a partial longitudinal vertical section of thepreferred form of my improvement, and Fig. IO is a partial top plan ofthe same. Fig. ll is a broken sectional view showing two of the boards Gdetachably connected.

The object of my invention is the construction of a machine for thepurpose of economically and rapidly manufacturing tufted padding orupholstering suitable to be secured to various articles of furniture infinishing the same.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction,arrangement, and combination of parts herein shown and described, andmore particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, A represents suitable supports for a preferablyskeleton table B.

C C are extensions supporting a series of presser-wheels D D, arrangedupon the shaft F, extending from one support to the other.

G is a longitudinally-movable table or board arranged above andsupported by the table B in such a manner as to be readily passedbeneath the Wheels D. The board G has upon it. a series of elevatedrings g, arranged in parallel lines or rows.

L is a clench pin or button retaining device comprising two jaws Z Z,adapted to be passed through the ring on the support and be retainedtherein in any preferred manner. As shown, the jawsZ Z are provided Withnotches engaging with the shoulders g g' of the ringsupport, while acoiled spring Z or its equivalent throws the free ends of the jaws Z Zapart for the purpose of retaining the holder in proper position andalso for causing the upper end of the jaws to firmly embrace the headofthe clench-button M.

Any preferred means may be employed for properly driving and guiding themovements of the table G upon the table B. As shown, the means consistsin securing one or more cog-racks H upon the lower surface of the boardG, meshing with cog-wheels I, mounted on the shaft K and driven by meansof a crank Zt. The cog-racks are preferably provided Withdownwardly-projecting extensions h, which embrace vguiding-strips B',secured to thetable B. It is obvious that by operating the crank Zo thetable G may be driven in either direction at will.

The mode of operation of my machine as thus far described is as follows:The table G being positioned at one side or the other of the wheels Dand the clench-buttons M positioned within the holders L and theringsupports g, the finishing fabric N is arranged upon the board G bythe hands of the operator, the clench-pins extending therethrough andretaining the fabric in position. After this is done the guiding-pins P,preferably so constructed that all the pins for each row of supports maybe handled as an entirety, are placed in position. This may be readilyaccomplished by a connecting-bar P. The stuffing material O is thensuitably adjusted to the extent desired, when, if preferred, apresser-board R may be placed thereon to aid in evenly compressing thestuffing material and in arranging the same. The presserboard may be ofany preferred construction, that shown in Fig. 8 being preferred. Ashere shown, the board comprises a series of parallel slats r, securedtogether at their ends by cross-slats r. The spaces between the IOOslats are of a size and so arranged as to per- Y mit the guiding-pins toextend upward between the slats, as shown in dot-lines in Fig. S. Afterpressing the stuliing material as far as it may conveniently be done inthis manner the presser-board R, together with the guiding-pins P, isremoved, when burlap or other equivalent material may be evenly eX-tended over the ends of the clench-pins and pressed down thereon, sothat the pins will penetrate therethrough to a slight extent. Uponoperating the crank k the board will be forced beneath the series ofWheels D, which, contacting with the burlap, compresses the same, withthe stufng material, to a point which brings the burlap substantially inline with the heads of the clench-butons M. At the moment the forwardrow of clench-buttons is substantially in line with the tread or lowest'point of the wheels and while the stuffing material is compressed, asdescribed, the clench-pins extend above the burlap substantially theirentire length. By means of the openings between the spokes of the wheelthe operator may now pass his hand between them and clench the pins inthe usual manner. After this is done the board is again moved forward tothe next row of clench-pins and the operation repeated. Thisoperationmay be repeated with asingle board or by a series ofboards,which may be detachably connected one to another, and the productmay result in a short pad or in a long strip of pad, which may be latercut to the desired size and form.

If desired, after placing the burlap in position the presser board R maybe replaced thereon, and thus passed beneath the wheels. The clench-pinsextending upward between the slats of the board are readily secured, asbefore described.

In some classes of work it may be advantageous to forcibly rotate thewheels D. In such cases I prefer to place a sprocket-wheel f' upon theshaft F and a similar sprocketwheel k' upon the shaft K and by means ofa chain S rotate the wheels by the same operation that drives the tablebackward and forward. Ordinarily, however, I prefer to have the wheelsloosely mounted upon the shaft F, so that they may rotate by thefrictional contact with t-he burlap. In order that the machine may beadjusted to do tufting of different dimensions, it is desirable that thewheels be arranged so that they may be adjusted to their positions uponthe shaft F. When the wheels are loosely mounted upon theshaft and arerotated only by frictional contact with the surface of the padding,adjustable collars T, secured to the shaft F by suitable set-screws,will permit such adjustment, when another board G, having thelsupports gsuitably arranged, may be employed to cooperate with the wheels inmaking the padding. In machines in which the wheels are secured to theshaft and rotate therewith the Wheels may be provided with set-screws,permitting the adjustment on the shaft as before. In order to reducefriction, I prefer to arrange rollers V V upon the table B to supportthe movable table G. The rollers may be provided with circumferentialdepressions fu, within which the guiding` cog-rack bars may bepositioned as the table is operated. (See Figs. 9 and 10.) Itis obviousthat the pressure is in a vertical line with the shaft K. If desired, atransverse roller W may be located at this point on the table B toreduce friction and prevent the board G from springing downward.

A long sectional board or table may be provided by connect-ing togethera plurality of the boards or sections G in any desired or suitablemanuel'.

In some cases it may be preferred to employ simply a strip of wood orother suitable material adapted to set upon the supports g in place ofthe pins P. This, however, is an obviously inferior equivalent and isnot recommended.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

I. A tufting-machine, comprising a suitable support, alongitudinally-movable table or board mounted thereon, provided with aseries of rings supported above the surface thereof and arranged inparallel lines, in combination with presser-wheels,supported above themovable board, between the lines of elevated rings, substantially asdescribed.

2. A tufting-machine, comprising a suitable support, alongitudinally-movable table or board mounted thereon provided with aseries of rings supported above the surface thereof and arranged inparallel lilies, and means for longitudinally moving said board, incombination with presser-wheels, supported above the movable boardbetween the lines of elevated rings, substantially as described.

3. A tufting-machine, comprising a skeleton support, alongitudinally-movable table or board mounted thereon, provided with aseries of rings supported above the surface thereof and arranged inparallel lines, and means for longitudinally moving said table, incombination with presser-wheels supported above the movable boardbetween the lines of elevated rings, and extending downwardsubstantially to the tops of said rings, substantially as described.

4. A tufting-machine comprising a tablesupport provided with atransverse shaft K, cog-wheels I I mounted thereon, and means forrotating said shaft, a longitudinally-movable table or board provided onits lower surface with cog-racks meshing with said cogwheels and uponits upper surface with a series of elevated rings arranged in parallellines, in combination with presser wheels supported above the movableboard between the lines of elevated rings, substantially as described.

5. A tufting-machine comprising atablesupport provided with one or moreguides B',

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the transverse shaft K, one or more cogwheels I mounted upon said shaft,and means for rotating the same, a longitudinallymovable table or boardprovided on its lower surface with one or more cog-racks I-I meshingwith said cog-wheels and provided with extensions adapted to embrace theguides B', and upon its upper surface with a series of elevated ringsarranged in parallel lines, in combination with presser-wheels supportedabove the movable board between the lines of rings, substantially asdescribed.

6. A tufting-machine, comprising a suitable support, alongitudinally-movable table or board mounted thereon provided with aseries of rings supported above the surface thereof arranged in parallellines, and means ior retainii'ig clench pins or buttons within theelevated rings, in combination with presserwheels, supported above themovable board between the lines of rings, substantially as described.

7. A tufting-machine, comprising a suitable support, alongitudinally-movable table or board mounted thereon provided with aseries of rings supported above the surface thereof arranged in parallellines, and clenchpin holders adapted to be removably positioned withinthe rings, in combination with presser-wheels, supported above themovable board between the lilies of the elevated rings, substantially asdescribed.

8. A tufting-machine comprising a suitable support, alougitudinally-movable table or board mounted thereon provided with aseries of rings supported above the surface thereof and arranged inparallel lines, in combination with presser-wheels, supported above themovable board between the lines of elevated rings, and means foradjusting the distance between the several wheels, substantially asdescribed.

9. A machine of the kind described coniprising a suitable support, alongitudinallymovable table or board mounted thereon provided with aseries of rings supported above the surface thereof and arranged inparallel lines, in combination with a shaft supported above the movableboard provided with presser-wheels loosely mounted upon the same andpositioned between the lines of the elevated rings, andadjusting-collars arranged between the wheels, substantially asdescribed.

10. A machine of the kind described comprising a suitable support, alongitudinallymovable table or board mounted thereon provided with aseries of rings supported above the surface thereof and arranged inparallel lines, and guiding means adapted to be removably secured to andextend above the rings,in combination with presser-wheels supportedabove the movable board between the lines of elevated rings,substantially as described.

11. A machine of the kind described, comprising a suitable support, alongitudinallymovable table or board mounted thereon provided with aseries of rings supported above the surface thereof and arranged inparallel lines, means for retaining clench-pins within the rings, andguiding-pins adapted to be secured to and extend above said rings, incombination with presser-wheels supported above the movable boardbetween the lines of elevated rings, substantially as described.

l2. A machine of the kind described, comprising a suitable support, alongitudinallymovable board or table mounted thereon provided with aseries of rings supported above the surface thereof and arranged inparallel lines, means for securing clench pins or buttons within saidrings, guiding-pins adapted to be secured to and extend above saidrings, and a presser-board, comprising a series of separated slatssecured together and arranged to permit the guiding-pins to extendbetween them,in combination with presser-wheels su pported above themovable board between the lines of elevated rings, substantially asdescribed.

13. A machine of the kind described, comprising a suitable support, alongitudinallymovable table or board mounted thereon provided with aseries of rings supported above the surface thereof and arranged inparallel lines, means for securing clench pins or buttons within saidrings, a series of guidingpins for each line of rings adapted to besecured to and extend above said rings and connected together so as tobe handled as entireties, and a presser-board comprising a series ofseparated slats secured together and arranged to permit the connectedguiding-pins to extend between them, in combination with presser-wheelssupported above the movable board between the lines of elevated rings,substantially as described.

14.-. A machine of the kind described, comprising a suitable supportprovided with antifriction rollers V, a longitudinally-movable table orboard supported by said rollers, and provided with a series of ringssupported above the surface thereof and varranged in parallel lines, incombination with presserwheels supported above the movable board betweenthe lines of elevated rings, substantially as described.

15. A tufting-machine comprising a tablesupport provided with atransverse shaft K, cog-wheels I I mounted thereon and means forrotating said shaft, a longitudinally-movable table or board provided atits lower surface with cog-racks meshing with said cogwheels I I andupon its upper surface with a series of elevated rings arranged inparallel lines, in combination with the elevated shaft F having mountedthereon presser-wheels D D arranged between the lines of elevated rings,and means for transmitting the rotation of the shaft K to the shaft F ina reverse` direction, substantially as described.

16. A tufting-machine, comprising a suitable support, alongitudinallymovable table IOO IOS

or board mounted thereon comprising a plurality of sections detachablyconnected at their ends, and provided with a series of rings supportedabove the surface thereof and arranged in parallel lines, in combinationwith presser-wheels supported above the movable table between the linesof elevated rings, substantially as described.

17. A button support and holding device fornpholsteri11g-machines,comprisingaringhaving supports for holding thesame in an elevated position, in combination with opposing jaws adaptedto be positioned and temporarily retained in the ring, means forretaining the opposing jaws in the ring, a seat for the button at oneend of the jaws, a spring for resiliently holding the free ends apart,and a fnlcrnm between the two ends whereby the button-holder may beopened to receive a button and resiliently close thereon, substantiallyas described.

18. In a device of the kind described, guiding and pressing meanscomprising guidingpins connected together so as to maintain theirrelative positions and so as to be handled as entireties, in combinationwith a presser-board comprising connected slats separated to permit theconnected guiding-pins to extend through between the slats,substantially as described.

19. Abntton support and holding device forupholstering-machines,comprisingaring hav ing supports for holding thesame in an ele- Vated position, in combination with opposing jawspositioned in the ring and retained by means of cooperating shouldersand notches on the ringand jaws, a seat for the button at one end of thejaws, a spring for resiliently holding the free ends of the jaws apart,and a fulcrurn between the ends of the jaws, whereby the button-holdermay be opened to receive a button and resiliently close thereon,substantially as described.

20. A guiding device for tnfting-lnachines comprising a plurality ofguiding-pins, and means connecting the same and acting to maintain theirrelative positions, substantially as described.

DAVID E. ROWLEY.

Witnesses: l

W. A. COFFELT, M. C. BUCK.

